Elsewhere Review: “Concussion” powerful, but not particularly hard-hitting

Posted on December 25, 2015 by Denise
As always, clicky for the original piece!

“Concussion”: powerful, but not particularly hard-hitting

concussion

Nutshell: If anyone walks away from Concussion without grieving for those who suffered/are suffering from CTE?  They’re dead inside.  Amazing performances by actors playing affected football players (most especially David Morse as Mike Webster) bring this issue straight into the feel center of the brain.  The rest of the movie is too light a touch, possibly because it tries to cover CTE, Omalu’s love story with his now wife, and the Big Bad that is the business of sport.  Still, this film takes the real-life subject matter and makes it easy to understand, and Smith’s performance is genuine, if not a bit too heroic. Grade: B-

“I’m just asking back what I gave….Help me.”

I have to admit I’ve made my share of “bell-rung jock” jokes in my life.  Y’know, the whole “he’s barely coherent, look at him — one too many tackles” kinda jabs.  Ha ha funny, right?  Sure.  When it’s simply a jest at the expense of musclebound moneybags who are laughing all the way to the bank, with not a care in the world beyond a bone or muscle injury that could sideline them. Continue reading →

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The Big Short: the coolest econ class you’ll ever wanna take

Posted on December 23, 2015 by Denise

the big short onesheet

Nutshell: The Big Short deals with the heartbreaking concept of a world financial collapse, and makes it fascinating and at times even funny.  While this film pulls no punches, it also educates as it entertains with scenes that break the fourth wall and cameos that keep dull minutiae understandable.  This isn’t only a must-see for awards season, but for anyone who wants to know more about how our world is run, and the banks that hold all the cards.  Grade: A

“It looks like someone hit a piñata and out fell a bunch of white guys who aren’t very good at golf.”

If, back in the double-aughts, you wondered how folks could be approved for houses two, three, five times more expensive than their salaries could actually swing, The Big Short is gonna be your catnip.  If you’re wondering just what exactly the hell happened in 2008, how exactly our financial system could turn into such a big mess, and why the bubble burst, this movie will lay it all out for you.  And if you’re just someone who enjoys the idea of a smart, intellectual film that doesn’t talk down to you but instead grabs you by the shoulder and says “okay, but you gotta admit, this is funny as hell”?  Run, don’t walk to the theater. Continue reading →

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Elsewhere Review: Sisters – a glory-days good time

Posted on December 18, 2015 by Denise
As always, clicky for the original piece!

Nutshell: Sisters takes the well-worn frat/house party story and winds it up by plopping a bunch of 40-somethings into the booze and drug filled mix. Sounds like a crash-and-burn, but if you’re not gasping for breath from laughing so hard? You need to get out more. Grade: B+

TwitView: Sisters

sisters onsheetIn Sisters, Fey and Poehler show that just because you’ve got a few decades (or more) under your belt, you’re not necessarily a grown-up.  And while that could be a downer of a storyline, they keep it light and focus on the bonds you keep and the ones you’ve broken along the way.

A goofy, borderline tacky, gloriously out-there screenplay by Paula Pell turns Sisters into a glorious mash of The Big Chill, Superbad and every “this one goes to 11” house party you ever went to.  Add the light Pitch Perfect touch of director Jason Moore, and Sisters becomes Generation X slapstick in all its raunchy glory.
Continue reading →

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Hey creator types: BronyCon is opening Marketplace applications!

Posted on December 17, 2015 by Denise

BronyCon Marketplace Apps OpenGot something cool you’d like to sell to fellow ponies?  Are you an artist that would like to show your wares (and make some sales while you’re at it)?  Finally decided to bite the bullet and put your stuff out there at BronyCon?  Well, it’s exhibitor application time, so get to tappin’! (On a keyboard.  Sure, everybody loves Morse Code.  But it’s tough to show what you’ve got through dots and dashes over radio waves.)

Everypony knows that I Love BronyCon.  And man, do I love walking around and checking out the merch.  MAKIN’ IT RAIN Y’ALL.  So hook a pony up with your deets if you’re selling this year, and I’ll come by and say hi!  Unless you’re selling Miracle Curative Tonic.  I’ll be getting enough of that at the Brony Bar Trot…

Read on for the full Marketplace application 411.  And don’t forget — registration, hotel room blocks and event submissions are also open.  Hop to it; you don’t want to be the only pony missing your favorite sponsorship level, with no place to crash and a headful of great ideas nobody’ll hear during a weekend of brohoof magnificence!

Continue reading →

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First Look: New Ghostbusters character posters!

Posted on December 17, 2015 by Denise

Abby (Melissa McCarthy), Holtzmann (Kate McKinnon), Erin (Kristen Wiig) and Patty (Leslie Jones)

Abby (Melissa McCarthy), Holtzmann (Kate McKinnon), Erin (Kristen Wiig) and Patty (Leslie Jones) [Image: Sony Pictures]

It’s one thing to get excited when a reboot comes along that sounds like it could actually bring the goods.  It’s another when that reboot casts a bunch of comediennes that are already favorites.  But when the posters come around and they look hilarious and badass?  Yahtzee!

And so it is with the new Ghostbusters.

Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, Leslie Jones and Melissa McCarthy are the new blood, and theses character posters make ’em look groovy as hell.  And the fact that the ol’ gang is back together (save for Aegon – RIP Harod Ramis *niff*) – even Bill Murray, and I can’t wait to see Bill and Sigourney Weaver banter as as Venkman and Dana.  And it’ll be interesting to see how the storyline passes the torch…

The release date for Ghostbusters is scheduled for July 15, 2016.  Here’s the 411 they’re releasing so far:

Thirty years after the original film took the world by storm, Ghostbusters is back and fully rebooted for a new generation.  Director Paul Feig combines all the paranormal fighting elements that made the original franchise so beloved with a cast of new characters, played by the funniest actors working today.  Get ready to watch them save the world this summer!

Peep the character posters (clicky on them for the full res image), and honey?  Who ya gonna call? Hellz yeah baby.

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The Force & Frozen are coming to Awesome Con – Darth, Ackbar & Elsa!

Posted on December 17, 2015 by Denise
awesome con collage 1

Images: Awesome Con

Yeah I know — you’re still ironing your Jawa robe for Friday’s The Force Awakens happytimes (hint: dont!  Like Jawas had spray starch?)  But here’s the scoop on some seriously cool Star Wars action at next year’s Awesome Con: David Prowse (Darth Vader) and Tim Rose (Admiral Ackbar) will be in DC this summer!  Yep, you’ll be able to meet and greet, and chat ’em up about all things Force.  A very cool announcement, and perfect timing.

Want more?  Okay, here’s something for folks who are fans of Once Upon A Time and Frozen: Georgina Haig will be at next year’s Awesome Con too!  Pretty cool…in fact, downright chilly?  Okay, maybe not.  But still cool y’all.

And my fellow Gotham-ites will be happy to hear that Penguin – aka Robin Lord Taylor – will also be making the scene.  I’ve seen interviews with him, and I can’t wait to check out any panel he’ll be a part of.  Hopefully Morena Baccarin will be a part of said panel?  Or maybe it’ll be a full on Bat-fest with Adam West and Burt Ward?  Only time will tell…

Read on for links and the official tidbits from Awesome Con.  Awesome Con will be at the Washington Convention Center June 3-5, 2016.  See you at the ‘Con!

 

Continue reading →

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Baltimore Screening Pass-palooza: Norm of the North!

Posted on December 17, 2015 by Denise

Norm of the NorthBaltimore people, tourists can really put a crimp in your city time, amirite? Everybody trying to hit the Aquarium at the same time.  Crowding around the penguin exhibit at the Zoo.  And let’s not forget trying to spend a little one-on-one time with E.A.P.  And my hometown DC peeps, does “walk on the left, stand on the right” mean nothing?

A bear out there feels you.  He just wants a little downtime, but noooooo!  Tourists.  Gentrifying his neighborhood like a buch of glitter-beard hipsters.  Oh, did I mention his ‘hood is the Arctic?  So he’s gonna go get satisfaction…in New York City.  (Speaking of tourist glut… )That’s poor Norm’s story in Norm of the North.  And he’s the cutest grumpy guy since Anger in Inside Out.  Synopsis!

A polar bear of many words, Norm’s greatest gripe is simple: there is no room for tourists in the Arctic.  But when a maniacal developer threatens to build luxury condos in his own backyard, Norm does what all normal polar bears would do…he heads to New York City to stop it.  With a cast of ragtag lemmings at his side, Norm takes on the big apple, big business and a big identity crisis to save the day.

Ready for some chilly fun?  Onward! Continue reading →

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#TheForceAwakens: this is the spoiler-free review you’re looking for

Posted on December 16, 2015 by Denise

star-wars-force-awakens-official-poster

Nutshell: J.J. Abrams keeps the themes so beloved from Episodes IV-VI while keeping things fresh and compelling.  Action, suspense, dread, hope…it’s all here. An excellent addition to the Star Wars universe, and a must-see this awards season.  Grade: A

“Force?”

Okay.  So I don’t want to ruin things for you.  But I do want to tell you about the film.  So how about a round of Q&A, hmm?  Hit it!

Q: I read your nutshell.  I need more.  Why do you think this is a good movie?

A: Because at two hours and fifteen minutes, there’s not a single frame wasted.  Not a scene that drags on too long.  No dialogue that needed a trim.  Everything is USDA Grade A Lean storytelling.  I wanted to watch it again immediately.  If they’d kept it on loop and allowed us to stay all day, I’d still be there.

Q:  Okay, so you’re a nerd.  More, please. Continue reading →

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TrailerWatch: “Fantastic Beasts” is here!

Posted on December 15, 2015 by Denise

Fantastic-Beasts-logo1-700x473-532x360Ready for some more of Harry Potter’s wizard world?  Well, you’ll have to wait about 11 months, but at least the first trailer for Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them just hit!

Looks very cool, and though I’d love to see some of the actual beasts, I’ve gotta give the folks who made the trailer props for keeping ’em under wraps (for now…)

Here’s the quick synopsis for muggles who haven’t memorized Rowling’s thin but way cool book:

The adventures of writer Newt Scamander in New York’s secret community of witches and wizards seventy years before Harry Potter reads his book in school.

Yep. Not the UK.  The US of A.  Hopefully there’ll be plenty of across-pond quips.  Plus, can’t wait to see what they’ll do with Salem, Massachusets…  Peep the trailer, and read on for the full PR 411 from Warner Brothers.  Fantastic Beasts hits theaters November 18th, 2016.  Looking forward to seeing what Newt brings to the US?

Continue reading →

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TrailerWatch – “Independence Day: Resurgence” brings the boom

Posted on December 14, 2015 by Denise

independence day resurgence bannerAnyone else catch the new Independence Day: Resurgence trailer last night during footballs?  (What? I have friends who watch the sports.)  Gotta say it made my night; I’ve been looking forward to a trailer since the ID:R press event earlier this year.  Didn’t see the trailer last night?  Wanna see it again because Roland Emmerich brings the massive?  Well, here ’tis.  Enjoy.

Good to see original cast members Jeff Goldblum, Bill Pullman and Judd Hirsch are front & center here.  Will Smith?  Apparently he was offered a part in ID:R, but sounds like his demands left him out of this one.  Too bad, but it looks like a squad of Colonial Warrior Viper pilots new blood are here to take on the aliens.  And I’m betting this time?  Those oute space suckers aren’t IBM compatible.

Independence Day: Resurgence hits theaters June 24th, 2016.  Check out http://www.warof1996.com/ to catch up on what’s been going on in the ID universe ’til Resurgence hits.

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